Army beats deadline of firearms amnesty

Setting a good example for illegal gun holders, members of the Philippine Army belonging to the 79th Infantry Masaligan Battalion are availing of the firearms amnesty program of the government designed to curb the number of unlicensed and unaccounted guns ain the country.

A team from the Philippine National Police was sent to Siaton, where the unit headquarters is situated to process the registration of about fifty firearms held by the soldiers.

Noting the significant increase in the number of people queuing the line to avail of the program, the deadline of the registration was extended to November 27 after it expired last October.

The amnesty allows gun holders to pay just P 650.00 for renewal and P 1,000.00 for registration regardless of the type of firearms while other requirements such as neuro-psychiatric examination and drug test have been waived. Nevertheless, the gun holders are required to renew their licenses after one year and comply with the usual requirements and pay a much higher registration fee.

Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office Director Sr. Supt. Augusto Marquez Jr. vowed to launched an “intensified and sustained” drive against owners of loose firearms.